Flood advisory issued for Maui as rains ushered by Flossie linger

A composite satellite image, taken at 4:30 a.m. today, shows areas of moisture around Hawaii.

UPDATE: 9:30 a.m.

The island of Maui is now under a flood advisory through 12:15 p.m.

At 9:12 .m., radar showed heavy rain moving over leeward Maui from the south with rain falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour leading to localized flooding, the National Weather Service said in a bulletin.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Kapalua, Puunene, Waikapu, Lahaina, Napili, and Kaanapali.

Tuesday, 5 a.m.

A flash flood watch is in effect for the islands of Maui and Hawaii island through this afternoon.

“Periods of heavy rainfall will remain possible as plenty of deep tropical moisture and instability associated with an upper trough remain in place,” the National Weather Service said in a bulletin.

5 p.m.

Flossie has degenerated to a remnant low as it passes near the state.

Flossie, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, is 85 miles north-northeast of Hilo and 90 miles east of Hana.

Moisture associated with Flossie will spread over portions of the main Hawaiian Islands during the next couple of days, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall. A flash flood watch remains in effect through late tonight for Maui and the Big Island.

Swells generated by Flossie will continue to affect the state into Tuesday, producing hazardous surf conditions along east-facing shores. A high-surf advisory is in effect for east-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island through 6 p.m. Tuesday. Surf heights could reach 6 to 10 feet on Maui and the Big Island and 5 to 8 feet on Molokai, Oahu and Kauai.

Flossie is expected to gradually degenerate over the day or so and dissipate by Wednesday.

3:55 p.m.

The flood advisory for Kauai has expired. The remnants of former tropical cyclone Erick drenched the Garden Isle Sunday and today.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Flossie is approaching the east side of the state today. National Weather Service forecasters said that “moisture associated with Flossie will spread over portions of the main Hawaiian islands during the next couple of days, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall. Total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are expected, with localized higher amounts possible.”

“Thunderstorms popped over the interior of the Big Island this afternoon, and we have had some flare ups on Kauai throughout the day,” they said. “The forecast continues to carry the chance for thunderstorms into tomorrow due to the unstable airmass overhead.”

1:55 p.m.

A flood advisory for the west side of Kauai has been extended until 4 p.m. today.

“At 1:03 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain near Waimea Canyon State Park. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service.The advisory includes Mana, Kekaha, Hanalei, Na Pali State Park, Waimea, Princeville, Barking Sands, Haena, Polihale, Kokee State Park, Wainiha and North Fork Wailua Trails.

While the east side of the state is waiting for a possible drenching from the dissipating Tropical Depression Flossie, Kauai is being drenched by the remnants of the former tropical cyclone Erick, which passed south of the islands last week.

11 a.m.

Tropical Depression Flossie maintained its strength this morning as it moved closer to the islands.

Now centered about 105 miles east-northeast of Hilo and 160 miles east-southeast of Hana, Flossie was packing maximum sustained winds of 35 mph while heading west-northwest at 12 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Although little change in strength is expected in the next 36 hours, Flossie is expected to become a post-tropical remnant low later today or tonight and dissipate by Wednesday, the CPHC said.

Flossie’s current west-northwest track is expected to continue today, followed by a turn toward the northwest through dissipation late Tuesday night or Wednesday. On the forecast track, the system will move near the main Hawaiian Islands today and Tuesday.

A flood advisory for the island of Kauai has expired though a flash flood watch remains in effect for Maui and the Big Island.

7 a.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for the island of Kauai through 9:45 a.m. today.

Radar at 6:50 a.m. showed heavy rain near Kilauea falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Tropical Depression Flossie continued on its approach toward the islands overnight.

Still registering maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, Flossie was centered 155 miles east of Hilo and 225 miles east-southeast of Hana at 5 a.m. today while tracking west-northwest at mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A flash flood watch remains in effect through late tonight for Maui and the Big Island. Moisture associated with Tropical Cyclone Flossie moving into the islands from the east, along with an upper-level trough just northwest of the state, will provide the ingredients for heavy rainfall and possible flooding issues for Maui and the Big Island through late tonight. As the moisture moves westward, the flash flood watch may need to be expanded to other islands as well.

Additionally, a high surf advisory for the east shores of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai and Molokai remains in effect through 6 p.m. today.

Forecasters expect surf up to 6 to 9 feet along affected shores.

Little change in strength is forecast for Flossie during the next couple of days, the CPHC said. Flossie is expected to become a post-tropical remnant low later today and dissipate late Tuesday or Tuesday night.

Weather officials expect Flossie to take a turn toward the northwest with a slight decrease in forward speed expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the system will move near the main Hawaiian Islands later today through Tuesday.

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